The document provides tips for setting diabetes management goals. It advises taking things one step at a time by mapping out a clear plan. Goals should be specific and realistic, and a plan should break the goal into smaller, attainable steps. Progress should be tracked, and adjustments made if steps are not being met. Celebrating successes, no matter how small, is also encouraged.

1. DIABETES
EDUCATION
Take things
one step at
a time and
map out a
clear plan for
yourself.
Setting Goals: At a Glance
I know I need to change some
things to help get my diabetes
in better control but I don’t know
where to start.
Thinking about all the things that you
need to do to stay healthy can seem like
an overwhelming job. Take things one
step at a time and map out a clear plan for
yourself. Think back on times in your life
when you needed to get something done-it
is very possible that you’ve been able to
think about how that happened, how you
put together a step-by-step plan and then
worked toward meeting that goal. Applying
those same skills to creating healthy habits
and making changes can lead to success.
Remember that reaching a goal takes time
and being patient, taking small steps toward
your ultimate goal and making necessary
adjustments along the way can help keep
you from becoming frustrated. Celebrate
each success no matter how small it
may seem.
Where should I start?
First, decide on what it is that you’d like
to accomplish or change. Some common
goals which can help you improve your
overall health include such things as eating
a healthier diet, becoming more active,
losing some weight or keeping better track
of your blood glucose level. Have you tried
to work on any of these before? What kinds
of things helped you be successful and what
kinds of things interfered with you
being successful?
What next?
Now get specific about what you want to
happen. Break the task down into smaller
steps that you think you can accomplish. If
you choose weight loss, start by choosing
one change that can help lead to reaching
that goal and make a plan.
What should my plan look like?
Your plan should include the steps you want
to take to help you reach your goal. Let’s
take a look at a goal of weight loss. It might
be overwhelming for you to think about the
total amount of weight you’d like to lose but
breaking that down into smaller, more easily
attainable steps can help. Let’s say you’d
like to lose 25 pounds. Start by thinking of
some things you can do today or this week
to get you on your way. Your short term
goal might be: I will lose 2 pounds in the
next two weeks (or you can put a specific
date). The next step is to make a plan on
how you can reach that short term goal. If
you are a person who skips breakfast but
you find yourself snacking on junk food
mid-morning because you feel hungry, you
might set a goal similar to the following:
setting goals

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Identify things
that may
be stopping
you from
reaching your
daily goals
and make
adjustments as
needed.
Tips
1. I will eat cereal with low fat milk and
a small piece of fruit for breakfast each
morning for the next two weeks.
2. I will walk for 15 minutes each afternoon
after work for 4 days a week for the next
two weeks.
Check your progress along the way.
Identify things that may be stopping you
from reaching your daily goals and make
adjustments as needed. Set a new goal and
make a new plan as you are successful.
Before you know it, you will be well on
your way to reaching your goal of a 25
pound weight loss.
• Be specific about what you want
to accomplish. Broad goals are
hard to define and hard to know if
you’ve accomplished.
• Be realistic about what you think
you can accomplish and ask for
help, if needed.
• Make a plan: take it step-by-step
and make changes along
the way.
• If things don’t go just as you
planned, don’t be discouraged.
Take a deep breath and start
again; no one is perfect.
• Keep a log, track your progress.
This is a great way to help you stay
on track.
• Celebrate all of your successes, no
matter how small they seem.
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